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Why Are There So Many Robocalls? Here’s What You Can Do About Them

Robocalls won’t vanish soon, but carriers are working on a spam filter and other fixes

Robocalls—those pre-recorded, unwanted phone calls—are at a record high. WSJ’s Joanna Stern explains how you can fight back against them, and why it matters. Photo: Drew Evans/The Wall Street Journal. (Originally Published June 28, 2016)

Remember when phone calls meant people wanted to talk to you about something other than lowering your interest rates? These days, the phone rings so often with recorded robocall messages—You qualify! You owe! You’ve won!—answering feels like a hazard.

I hit my own robocall breaking point a month ago. I was grabbing a quick shower before catching a flight. My phone rang. Fearing I’d miss a call from my boss, who had been trying to reach me, I jumped out. But no, it was a recording instead.